I’m pleased to announce that Marketwatch.com has just published a new article of mine on President Obama’s proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. It argues that the Pacific Rim agreement will be worse than useless for the United States unless it closes a loophole created by value-added tax (VAT) systems that are at least as protectionist as currency manipulation. 6 more words

As promised, here’s the link to the podcast of my appearance last night on John Batchelor’s nationally syndicated radio show. This segment was especially interesting, as John, co-host Gordon Chang, and I didn’t quite see eye-to-eye on whether China’s footprint on the world economy, and its impact on the United States’ future (including as “America’s banker”) are still growing or shrinking. 11 more words

Fed Chair Janet Yellen made some minor trade-related headlines (in the greater scheme of things) when she reportedly told the Senate Banking Committee that she opposed including enforceable disciplines on currency manipulation in trade agreements. 567 more words

There weren’t many lines in President Obama’s State of the Union that Republicans applauded. But the GOP did get behind the President’s insistence that Congress countenance an expedited approval process for a free trade deal—called the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)—his administration is negotiating with 12 other Pacific Ocean nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. 576 more words